Endocrinologists Need More Training in Transgender Care

The need for hormone therapy often prompts transgender patients to seek treatment from endocrinologists, but many clinicians have received little formal training in this area, according to study results published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.1

"As awareness and insurance coverage of transgender healthcare has increased, there is growing demand for healthcare providers with expertise in this area," study author Caroline Davidge-Pitts, MD, from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, said in a news release.2 "It is crucial for endocrinologists to receive the necessary training to feel confident providing the highest quality care for this population."

For this study, conducted by Dr Davidge-Pitts and colleagues, the Mayo Clinic and the Endocrine Society conducted an anonymous, web-based survey of practicing US endocrinologists and endocrinology fellowship program directors, with the goal of evaluating the understanding of transgender healthcare among practicing clinicians, as well as the status of education in this area.

Experience of Practicing Clinicians

Of the 411 practicing clinicians who responded to the survey, 79.8% reported treating a transgender patient during their career, with 55% treating more than 5 patients per year.1 However, of 382 clinicians who responded, 80.6% had never received training on care of  transgender patients.1 Of those who had received training, 58% did so during their fellowship, 52.7% at meetings, 18% online, 30% by attending lectures, 26% through continuing medical education activities, and 20% through other means, such as self-directed learning, experience in transgender clinics, and participation in committees or through development of guidelines.1 Only 4% received training during medical school and 6.7% during their internal medicine residency.1

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